Dads and daughters to create on canvas next to each other

ROCKFORD — Two daughters inspired by their artistic fathers will paint separate works alongside their dads at Saturday’s fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association.

Tom and Sienna Heflin of Rockford and Randy and Rhya Reed of Machesney Park are among 50 artists who will paint on canvas in the afternoon and have their works auctioned in the evening at Unforgettable Art: An Affair for Alzheimer’s. The 11th annual event will be at Lou Bachrodt Auto Mall.

“My dad has taught me, through painting, dedication and patience,” Sienna said. “He’s taught me discipline and that to do something, you should have passion for it, or a ‘fire in your belly.’”

Sienna works in oil, acrylic, watercolor and pencil. “I enjoy creating people, and I always use little hints of surrealism or symbolism.” She comes up with a concept and paints it, or sometimes he paints from a photograph she’s taken.

Sienna is still thinking about the type of work she’ll create for the first time she’ll paint at the fundraiser.

Tom, a full-time artist for 44 years, will paint flowers — poppies or irises — at the fundraiser he has participated in two other times. Most of his work is done in oil and acrylic, and he paints realistic and abstract works. Tom is known for painting landscapes but doesn’t create images from other people’s photographs.

He said Sienna, 17, a student, is better at rendering in pencil than he was at her age.

Randy said he has gained a “fresh perspective” from his daughter and what she creates.

“Even though our style is similar, her imagination and enthusiasm is amazing,” he said.

Randy, who has painted for the fundraiser every year since its inception, typically creates works in acrylic and often in only black and white colors.

“My paintings have a realism quality ... and a lot of times they have a romantic undertone.” He said he paints from his imagination and uses a memory as an inspiration. Or, Randy said, he just thinks of a mood for the painting and goes with it.

Rhya, 18, who works at a local grocer, said she has visited her dad at the fundraiser each year. “I was always so amazed at everyone’s artwork,” she said.

Her dad taught her to create works by looking at a picture and drawing it. “I would always sit right next to him, watching him draw and create new things.”

Rhya said she started selling her drawings as tattoo designs when she was in eighth grade. “I always loved doing cards for birthdays and holidays like my dad showed me when I was younger.”

What will she paint for the Unforgettable Art affair? A piece that is “fresh and different, with a lot of color,” Rhya said.